Who painted Plough Horses?

Plough Horses was painted by Harry Becker in 1885.

Where can I see Plough Horses?

Plough Horses is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Plough Horses?

Plough Horses is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Plough Horses?

Museum-quality prints of Plough Horses are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Plough Horses

Harry Becker , 1885

Plough Horses is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Harry Becker. It dates from 1885 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Harry Becker’s 1885 watercolour, Plough Horses, presents a brief, atmospheric scene of four horses moving through a field. Rendered in a palette of muted browns, soft blues and a pale sky, the work captures a moment of quiet labor in the countryside, conveyed through a light, airy handling of the medium.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on four draft horses, their bodies slightly slumped as if weary from recent ploughing. Their steady gait across the open ground suggests the routine of agricultural work, offering a modest glimpse into rural life and the physical demands placed on working animals during the period.

Technique & Style

Becker employs loose, gestural brushwork characteristic of watercolour, allowing pigments to flow and blend with minimal definition. The swift strokes function more as visual notes than precise outlines, creating a sense of immediacy. This approach aligns with late‑19th‑century tendencies that merge realistic observation with an impressionistic handling of light and colour.

History & Provenance

Created in 1885, the piece remains attributed to Becker, an English artist known for rural subjects. While specific ownership records are limited, the work is documented in catalogues of his watercolours and has been exhibited in collections focusing on British agricultural genre painting.